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Down the Road #2
Down the Road: The Fall of Austin
When the dead rise, the living must unite.
Officer Mike Runyard of the Austin Police Department and his partner, Derek Tucker, are stuck in the middle of a city overrun with the living dead. With resources and luck running out, Runyard is flung into a fight for survival among the living, the dead, and a wave of criminals released from jail into the streets of central and south Austin.
Meanwhile, the U.S. military fights to reclaim Texas, with failure meaning the complete loss of the capital, Austin. A military Humvee traveling down IH-35, headed into the zombie-ridden city, holds the key to a plan meant to turn the tide in the fight. It’s a simple plan, but it’s a plan that’s about to fail with devastating consequences...
Officer Mike Runyard of the Austin Police Department and his partner, Derek Tucker, are stuck in the middle of a city overrun with the living dead. With resources and luck running out, Runyard is flung into a fight for survival among the living, the dead, and a wave of criminals released from jail into the streets of central and south Austin.
Meanwhile, the U.S. military fights to reclaim Texas, with failure meaning the complete loss of the capital, Austin. A military Humvee traveling down IH-35, headed into the zombie-ridden city, holds the key to a plan meant to turn the tide in the fight. It’s a simple plan, but it’s a plan that’s about to fail with devastating consequences...
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First published April 4, 2011
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About the author
Bowie V. Ibarra
21 books38 followersBowie Valeriano Ibarra was born and raised in Uvalde, Texas on April 15, 1975. In his youth, he enjoyed acting, writing, and drawing. His most notable acting roles in High School include Huckleberry Finn, The Mad Hatter, Charlie Brown, and the Artful Dodger. Bowie also played wingback for the Uvalde Coyotes football team.
Bowie graduated from Uvalde High School and earned an acting scholarship to Bee County College (now Coastal Bend College), where he earned an Associates in Art. His most notable roles at BCC include Luther Billis in “South Pacific”, Troll in “Cinderella Waltz”, the Tramp from “In the Shadow of the Glen”, and Howard Bevins in “Picnic”.
Bowie earned a spot in the Southwest Texas State (now Texas State University) Bachelor of Fine Arts acting program, and earned a BFA in Acting with teacher certification for secondary schools. Notable roles include Dr. Miranda in “Death and the Maiden”, Max in “The Homecoming”, and “The Philadelphia”.
Bowie blew out his knee a week before graduation and had reconstructive surgery on his ACL. After recovering, he earned a position as a teacher at Barton Junior High in the Hays CISD in Kyle.
Bowie went on to earn a Master’s in Art degree in Theatre History. Notable roles during this time period were Gentleman in “Thirst” and the kid in “When the Southern Belle Tolls”. His thesis was entitled “The influence of Mexican Morality Plays on American Sports Entertainment.”
Bowie currently teaches at Lehman High School in Kyle, Texas. He is represented by Acclaim talent and has worked professionally in film and television industrial work. Bowie has one daughter, Gwendolyn Maya.
Bowie graduated from Uvalde High School and earned an acting scholarship to Bee County College (now Coastal Bend College), where he earned an Associates in Art. His most notable roles at BCC include Luther Billis in “South Pacific”, Troll in “Cinderella Waltz”, the Tramp from “In the Shadow of the Glen”, and Howard Bevins in “Picnic”.
Bowie earned a spot in the Southwest Texas State (now Texas State University) Bachelor of Fine Arts acting program, and earned a BFA in Acting with teacher certification for secondary schools. Notable roles include Dr. Miranda in “Death and the Maiden”, Max in “The Homecoming”, and “The Philadelphia”.
Bowie blew out his knee a week before graduation and had reconstructive surgery on his ACL. After recovering, he earned a position as a teacher at Barton Junior High in the Hays CISD in Kyle.
Bowie went on to earn a Master’s in Art degree in Theatre History. Notable roles during this time period were Gentleman in “Thirst” and the kid in “When the Southern Belle Tolls”. His thesis was entitled “The influence of Mexican Morality Plays on American Sports Entertainment.”
Bowie currently teaches at Lehman High School in Kyle, Texas. He is represented by Acclaim talent and has worked professionally in film and television industrial work. Bowie has one daughter, Gwendolyn Maya.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 21, 2011
Down the Road: The Fall of Austin is not a continuation of the saga that Bowie Ibarra started with the first two novels in this series, but a story that runs parallel to it. More specifically, there are connections to the first book and the main character in that storyline, George, the teacher who is flees Austin as the zombie apocalypse gets rolling in Texas. The author takes things from a different angle, giving us a point of view from characters that were passers-by in the first story, but play a significant role here. This is somewhat of an ensemble piece, with an assortment of characters slowly migrating together toward the end of the story, but for the most part coming to grips with the apocalypse as individuals or in small groups in the rest of the tale. There are two fire teams from the army (who are at each other's throats) that are assigned to clear out the capital building of viral threats, a police officer with a partner who seems to be a sadist, a teacher that George, the main character in the first book, had a tryst with before he fled Austin, a prison guard and the gang banger prisoner he frees as the world around them begins to fall apart.
This story, much like the other two in this trilogy, stands alone. You don't need to know what came before to read this tale, though it doesn't hurt to have read those books, in particular the first one. The spectacle of gore and zombie violence is pretty steady throughout this story, but it doesn't overpower the story lines of the individual characters and groups that inhabit this world. Each character is well defined with clear motivations and developed personalities. I might not have agreed with everything that happened or how everyone reacted, but it made sense in relationship to the plot and who these people were. For the record, I wasn't a big fan of the second book of this series, primarily because of the broad brush strokes the author used to paint the military and government in a negative light. I was pleased to see a more evenhanded approach in this book-there were evil men, but also good ones, who donned uniforms in this tale. Overall, the story was entertaining and filled with ripe imagery, though I did feel that every now and then the author would choose to dip into the similes and metaphors a bit more heavily than necessary, but it didn't detract from what was, in essence, a quality zombie apocalypse tale that had the advantage of being in a local that the author knows and loves, which allowed him to paint a highly detailed picture of a world being swallowed up by destruction.
This story, much like the other two in this trilogy, stands alone. You don't need to know what came before to read this tale, though it doesn't hurt to have read those books, in particular the first one. The spectacle of gore and zombie violence is pretty steady throughout this story, but it doesn't overpower the story lines of the individual characters and groups that inhabit this world. Each character is well defined with clear motivations and developed personalities. I might not have agreed with everything that happened or how everyone reacted, but it made sense in relationship to the plot and who these people were. For the record, I wasn't a big fan of the second book of this series, primarily because of the broad brush strokes the author used to paint the military and government in a negative light. I was pleased to see a more evenhanded approach in this book-there were evil men, but also good ones, who donned uniforms in this tale. Overall, the story was entertaining and filled with ripe imagery, though I did feel that every now and then the author would choose to dip into the similes and metaphors a bit more heavily than necessary, but it didn't detract from what was, in essence, a quality zombie apocalypse tale that had the advantage of being in a local that the author knows and loves, which allowed him to paint a highly detailed picture of a world being swallowed up by destruction.
August 11, 2011
I finished, Fall of Austin, the other day......WOW....all I can say is more, more, more! This is another must for the shelf of anyone who likes zombie literature.
When I started reading it I had not even put two and two together to realize Mr. Ibarra had also written, Down the Road. I should have realized it! Down the Road was the first zombie apocalypse book I had read and the book that hooked me on zombie apocalypse genre.
The, Fall of Austin, was everything I like in a zombie book. It is fast paced from start to finish, filled with very believable characters, and placed in a setting you can tell the author knows well. It was rich in atmosphere and details that create totally believable images in the readers minds eye. I usually read a book over several days stopping at the slow points until the following night. This book took me three nights there were no slow parts from sentence one I was hooked. The only thing I ask of it is for the story to continue on from where this one stops.
Thank you Mr Ibarra for another thrill ride of a book and keep them coming.
When I started reading it I had not even put two and two together to realize Mr. Ibarra had also written, Down the Road. I should have realized it! Down the Road was the first zombie apocalypse book I had read and the book that hooked me on zombie apocalypse genre.
The, Fall of Austin, was everything I like in a zombie book. It is fast paced from start to finish, filled with very believable characters, and placed in a setting you can tell the author knows well. It was rich in atmosphere and details that create totally believable images in the readers minds eye. I usually read a book over several days stopping at the slow points until the following night. This book took me three nights there were no slow parts from sentence one I was hooked. The only thing I ask of it is for the story to continue on from where this one stops.
Thank you Mr Ibarra for another thrill ride of a book and keep them coming.
May 7, 2011
Loved this third book of the Down the Road series. Mr. Ibarra gets right down with the action in this fast paced tale.
August 20, 2011
Fun to read a Zombie book that takes place in your home town.
July 17, 2011
Think the zombie/apocalyptic genre is stale? Not after you read this, it isn't.
November 27, 2016
I was a bit hesitant to give this book a try. I had previously read a later book in Bowie Ibarra's Down the Road series (Down the Road: On the Last Day) and didn't care for it, but when the publisher offered The Fall of Austin for free during their Black December promotion I figured it was worth a look. I'm glad I did.
The premise here is pretty simple. The zombie apocalypse begins - fast - and you get to see how a handful of very different characters (a gang leader, a cop, a prison guard, a schoolteacher, soldiers) react when there is a sudden and very violent "rule change." As Austin falls apart, the Army and National Guard try to restore order, even as conflict within their own ranks pushes the situation to the boiling point.
Zombie 411 - They're called "virals" at first, but the undead in this book are fairly typical Romero-style zombies. The infection kills, reanimates and is spread by bites.
I love that Ibarra doesn't bother to explain how the plague starts. He just lights the fuse and lets the situation explode. There's an urgency to the situation that's very real, and the way the characters either fall apart, abandon the principles of the civilized world or just fight to stay alive is very believable, even if a good deal of the dialogue is not. The action, especially the zombie fighting, is described well and ought to satisfy most fans' gore requirements. I also give it high marks for not having first person narration, which seems to be a requirement for the genre lately and is rarely handled well.
Where the series falters a bit is the idea that the United States military - mere days into the crisis - would cede control of its operations to United Nations forces. It stretches credibility - even in a book about zombies - and injects a measure of political paranoia (see: FEMA concentration camps) that the book really didn't need. This is what killed On the Last Day for me, but fortunately it's only briefly touched on here. Stories like this really only need memorable characters and a sense of constant danger. Fortunately The Fall of Austin has plenty of both.
It's not perfect, but Down the Road: The Fall of Austin was a fast-paced zombie novel with plenty of action and some really good characters. I found it hard to put down once I started it, which is always a good sign. Unfortunately I can't say the same for the next book in the series, but I can at least recommend this volume to zombie/post-apocalyptic fans looking for a good read.
The premise here is pretty simple. The zombie apocalypse begins - fast - and you get to see how a handful of very different characters (a gang leader, a cop, a prison guard, a schoolteacher, soldiers) react when there is a sudden and very violent "rule change." As Austin falls apart, the Army and National Guard try to restore order, even as conflict within their own ranks pushes the situation to the boiling point.
Zombie 411 - They're called "virals" at first, but the undead in this book are fairly typical Romero-style zombies. The infection kills, reanimates and is spread by bites.
I love that Ibarra doesn't bother to explain how the plague starts. He just lights the fuse and lets the situation explode. There's an urgency to the situation that's very real, and the way the characters either fall apart, abandon the principles of the civilized world or just fight to stay alive is very believable, even if a good deal of the dialogue is not. The action, especially the zombie fighting, is described well and ought to satisfy most fans' gore requirements. I also give it high marks for not having first person narration, which seems to be a requirement for the genre lately and is rarely handled well.
Where the series falters a bit is the idea that the United States military - mere days into the crisis - would cede control of its operations to United Nations forces. It stretches credibility - even in a book about zombies - and injects a measure of political paranoia (see: FEMA concentration camps) that the book really didn't need. This is what killed On the Last Day for me, but fortunately it's only briefly touched on here. Stories like this really only need memorable characters and a sense of constant danger. Fortunately The Fall of Austin has plenty of both.
It's not perfect, but Down the Road: The Fall of Austin was a fast-paced zombie novel with plenty of action and some really good characters. I found it hard to put down once I started it, which is always a good sign. Unfortunately I can't say the same for the next book in the series, but I can at least recommend this volume to zombie/post-apocalyptic fans looking for a good read.
October 3, 2012
There was every reason for me to like this book; I work in downtown Austin, live in another area specifically described ( but incorrectly named? ), and worked many years as a cop. Oh, and it was a zombie book. How could I not like it?
Somehow, Ibarra managed to miss all on four accounts. Austin, like many big cities, is target rich for settings and environments. What we get is mostly an apartment complex and IH35.
His description of the outlying suburb was good, but I wonder why he chose to alter the name of the town (Kyle is called Koehl). Not a heck of a lot happens there, if I recall.
The police aspect. So, so very much I could comment on. The early chapters showed some promise. Both characters were flawed to the degree that I never cared about them. Yeah, they're cops and there's an inherent want for me to root for them, but I found them to both be miserable excuses for human beings. Consequently, my disbelief was never suspended, and I was painfully aware that I was reading a zombie story the entire time. Meaning I had to make a conscious effort to be in the story.
Last but not least, the dead. The zombies. So unremarkable I am hardly aware there were any, except that obviously something was trying to eat everyone. I'm making a gross overstatement, and to atone I am going to re-read this book. I'm worried though I'll like it less, if that's possible, after having read the likes of Joe McKinney, Ben Tripp and Jonathan Maberry.
June 2, 2014
The book started out like it was going to be good. Then it collapsed with making two Army fire teams at each other throats ready to kill one another. And it continued to do so. The writing, which was good along as it dealt with cops and drug dealers was good. But again it falls apart with the military. In a matter of days the military are the bad guys, blood thirsty and full of greed. Not caring for the people they have been entrusted to care for. I have read several zombie books and don't know why some lump the military in that category. I give it 2 stars, only because it is slightly better than most of the Zombie trash I have read.
Case in point any zombie book written by Thomas brother's. Not as bad as those but nowhere near a good zombie book
Case in point any zombie book written by Thomas brother's. Not as bad as those but nowhere near a good zombie book
April 16, 2013
Reading zombie novels is a lot like reading fan fic. Sometimes you hit, finding some really good work, and other times you miss and find really, really bad stuff. Bowie Ibarra's novel, Down the Road: The Fall of Austin, is hit and is well worth the read. The overall story is compelling, the character's brought to life in such a vivid way and the scenarios are believable. If you're a zombie fan I urge you to go out and buy this novel, you will NOT be sorry!
November 8, 2011
Good story line but weak character development. New characters were introduced too late in the novel. Ibarra needs more experience or to team up with a more experienced writer or get a better editor to help him make the most of his story telling
July 29, 2014
2 1/2 STARS I Liked It/ It Was So-So
Full of intense action, and a real fun read. But, no surprises here. It follows a sequence of events that you'd expect.
A STAND ALONE NOVEL SET IN THE DOWN THE ROAD UNIVERSE!
Full of intense action, and a real fun read. But, no surprises here. It follows a sequence of events that you'd expect.
A STAND ALONE NOVEL SET IN THE DOWN THE ROAD UNIVERSE!
January 21, 2012
Great book, very well crafted with a good story. You get involved with the characters from civilians to the army. There are good guys and bad guys and some in a grey area. Once you have finished the tale seems to be much much larger than the pages that it squeezes itself into.
November 12, 2013
Loved the first two.
This is a nice follow up but with the power of the first two I personally expected a bigger punch.
Hope more to follow.
This is a nice follow up but with the power of the first two I personally expected a bigger punch.
Hope more to follow.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews